Betsy Bolding
Betsy Bolding has been a supporter of women and women?s issues since I first met her in 1964. She was a superb teacher of journalism and speech at Palo Verde High School at that time and she guided many young women into the communication fields with excellent skills. Some went on to work at local TV and newspaper positions while others moved elsewhere. She always worked for women candidates including me when I ran for the Arizona State Senate. She even loaned me clothes until I could buy some that were more businesslike than hippy/arty. She soon became the director of the Tucson office of Governor Bruce Babbitt and she could always be counted on to welcome women who needed help from that office. We also had the feeling she was keeping Bruce in line. She has remained behind the scenes as she worked for many women?s issues and candidates over the years. When she ran for Tucson mayor a few years ago she lost the primary to a very liberal candidate because Tucson has a pattern of electing the most liberal person in the primary a candidate too liberal to win in the general. It was a real loss for Tucson as well as for Tucson women when Betsy was defeated. I know she will keep working for us and it is my great pleasure to support her as an honoree. --Sue Dye Former State Senator